When Words Wound: Psalm 12’s Hope for the Weary (Psalm 12)

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When Words Wound: Psalm 12’s Hope for the Weary

When lies abound and trust feels lost, where do we turn? Psalm 12 offers hope for the disillusioned and weary by reminding us that God's words are pure, His justice is sure, and His people are never forgotten. In a world flooded with deception, God still speaks, and His word is our refuge.

Episode Highlights

• David’s lament over the disappearance of godly and faithful people
• The power and pain of deceptive, manipulative speech
• God's response to the groaning of the oppressed
• The contrast between impure human speech and God’s refined, reliable word
• Assurance that God guards His people even while evil is still active
• A call to model faithful, truthful, healing speech in a dishonest world
• Encouragement for those who feel spiritually alone or betrayed

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Are you longing to find answers to the deeper issues of life? Join Dr. James Long, Jr., a pastor, counselor, and university professor with over 30 years of experience. Hear James as he tackles some of life’s biggest questions and helps us find God’s solutions to life’s struggles. Learn the power of living by God’s grace and for His glory. Experience the joy of forgiveness and freedom found in Jesus Christ alone. If you are in search of freedom, you will love being part of this conversation. Subscribe, and enjoy the show!

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Counseling Through the Psalms with James
Long Jr, a special series fromLessons for Life.
I'm James, and in each episodewe will journey into the rich,
honest and healing language ofthe Psalms to find hope, clarity
and comfort for life's deepeststruggles.
Whether you're wrestling withanxiety, grief, anger or

(00:21):
spiritual dryness, the Psalmsoffer us a path towards
restoration and peace throughGod's Word.
So, wherever you are right now,take a deep breath and let's
enter into the heart ofScripture together.
Hey, welcome back.
It's James Long.
Do me a favor, grab your Bibleand a journal and let's start
with Psalm 12.

(00:44):
When truth is traded forflattery, and deception rules
the public square, psalm 12calls us to anchor our hearts in
the pure and proven promises ofGod.
In a world where faithfulpeople seem few and dishonest
words abound, this psalm givesvoice to the disillusioned and
hope to the oppressed.
Let's begin with the firstsection.

(01:07):
When faithfulness feels extinct, the psalmist says this help me
, o Lord, for the godly one isgone and the faithful have
vanished from among the childrenof man.
Psalm 12, verse 1.
These words could have beenpenned this morning.
The ache in David's heart echoesin every soul that has felt

(01:28):
surrounded by corruption,betrayal or the loss of moral
clarity in society.
Psalm 12 begins with adesperate cry of a man who feels
spiritually and relationallyalone.
Truth is rare and lies areeverywhere.
People flatter with their lipswhile hiding agendas in their
heart.
No one speaks honestly.
Even neighbors deceive oneanother.

(01:50):
Verse 12.
David is not simply lamentingbad people.
He is lamenting the breakdownof a culture where trust once
lived.
This lament rings especiallyloud for those who have
experienced betrayal inleadership, in churches, in
relationships.
When people use words tomanipulate, control or destroy,

(02:10):
especially to those who claimspiritual authority, the impact
is soul-wounding.
It makes the heart want toretreat and cry.
Where are the faithful?
But Psalm 12 invites us not toisolate in cynicism but to cry
out to the Lord.
Even when godliness seems rareand integrity looks endangered,

(02:30):
the psalmist doesn't give up hisprayers, and this is one of the
first lessons for weary hearts.
When the faithful disappear, weturn to the faithful one, the
poison of deceptive words.
Verses 3 and 4 paint a pictureof words weaponized for
destruction.
This isn't just casualdishonesty.
It's boastful, self-exaltingspeech that claims we will

(02:54):
prevail with our tongues.
Our lips are with us.
Who is master over us?
Verse 4 the language ischilling.
These speakers are not justlying, they're rebelling.
They're denying accountability.
They live as if no one, noteven God, can restrain or judge
them.
If you've been harmed byspiritual abuse, toxic

(03:15):
relationships or gaslighting,this language is familiar.
You know what it feels like tobe the one on the receiving end
of charming words that concealmalicious motives.
You've heard the flattery thatfeels more like a trap than a
compliment.
And perhaps worst of all, youface the silence of bystanders
who, like David, feel as if thefaithful have vanished.

(03:37):
Psalm 12 acknowledges the deeppain of living in a world where
deception is normalized andhonesty is endangered.
It names the problem withoutnumbing it, but it also assures
us that God is not silent.
God speaks and acts on behalfof the oppressed.
Now, in verse 5, the psalmistshifts.

(03:58):
He says this "because the poorare plundered, because the needy
groan, I will now arise", saysthe Lord.
This is the turning point ofthe psalm and the turning point
for the wounded heart.
God does not merely observeinjustice, he promises to act.
Notice what provokes the Lordto speak.
The groans of the oppressed,the sighs that feel unheard on

(04:21):
earth, rise like incense beforeheaven when others puff an
arrogant dismissal.
Look at the end of verse 5, godleans in with an attentive
compassion.
He does not trivialize thegroaning.
He acts because of it.
The Lord's words are not likethe empty flattery of liars.
Watch what it says in verse 6.

(04:41):
The words of the Lord are purelike silver, refined in a
furnace on the ground, purifiedseven times.
In contrast to the contaminatedspeech of the world.
God's words are trustworthy,tested and without blemish.
In a world where words arecheap and polluted, the word of
the Lord is precious andpurifying, secure in the shelter

(05:05):
of his word.
Psalm 12 doesn't promise theimmediate removal of evil.
In fact, the final verseacknowledges that the wicked
still strut about and thatvileness is exalted Verse 8.
But the psalm doesn't end indespair.
It ends in confidence.
Watch what it says in verse 7.
You, o Lord, will keep them.

(05:25):
You will guard us from thisgeneration forever.
Here is where Psalm 12 meetsyour anxiety, your
disillusionment and your longingfor justice.
God doesn't just rescue us fromlies, he guards us in the midst
of them.
His promise is not only tosilence the wicked one day, but
to shelter the faithful rightnow.

(05:47):
Maybe you're navigating aculture or workplace, or even a
family, where integrity feelspunished and deception is
rewarded.
Maybe you're wrestling withdoubt, wondering whether truth
even matters anymore.
Well, psalm 12 assures you yes,it does, and God himself will
preserve those who cling to it.

(06:08):
Here are the doctrinal insightsthat we find from Psalm 12.
First, we see that God's wordis pure and perfect, unlike
human speech.
God's promises are fullytruthful, refined and without
error verse 6.
Second, we see that Godresponds to the oppressed.
The Lord arises to defend thosewho are exploited or mistreated

(06:31):
.
Third, we see divinepreservation.
God not only redeems, but healso guards his people in the
midst of a corrupt generation.
Fourth, we see human arroganceis seen and judged.
Those who exalt themselvesthrough speech will not escape

(06:51):
God's justice verses 3 and 4.
And lastly, we see moraldecline doesn't diminish God's
sovereignty.
Even when vileness is exalted,god remains faithful and active
verse 8.
Now let's take all of thatdoctrine and let's make it
practical, practical theology.
Speaking to the struggling soulIf you're hurting or weary,

(07:15):
psalm 12 speaks into your lifewith clarity and hope.
You're not alone in grievingthe loss of honesty and trust in
a world around you.
When you feel betrayed bypeople who speak falsely,
remember that God nevermanipulates.
If you've been oppressed ordeceived.
God sees your groanings andpromises to rise in your defense

(07:38):
when you do not know who totrust.
You can trust the words of God.
They are refined, reliable andredemptive.
If the culture around youcelebrates sin and silences
truth, stand firm, knowing thatGod will guard your soul.
Do not retreat in despair.
Cling to the promises that areeternally pure and proven.

(08:02):
Lastly, let your own speechreflect the purity and power of
God's word, offering healinginstead of harm.
Well, let's reflect and respond.
Remember, grab your journal aswe work through these questions.
Number one when have you feltlike the faithful have vanished?
How did it impact your trust inpeople or in God?

(08:24):
Number two are there voices inyour life right now that seem
flattering but leave you feelinguneasy?
Why?
3.
What lies have you believedabout yourself, your worth, your
future, that God's Word exposes?
No-transcript.

(08:49):
Number five in what ways haveyou been tempted to give up hope
when deception seems to prevail?
Number six how can you modeltruthful healing and honoring
speech in your family, church orworkplace?
Number seven what is onepromise from God's word that you
can cling to today, in the faceof corruption or confusion?

(09:17):
Well, let us pray.
Father, thank you for revealingyourself through the power of
your word, lord Jesus, thank youfor being the fulfillment of
every promise and anchor forevery storm.
Holy Spirit, guide us intodeeper trust, lasting peace and
transforming hope.
Teach us to walk in the truthof this psalm today.
In Jesus' name, we pray Amen.

(09:37):
Now, if you're feeling misledor wounded by words, psalm 12
reminds us that God hears thegroans of the weary and speaks a
better word than deception evercan.
If you want to learn more aboutus, join our free navigator
level of our Lessons for Lifecommunity at jameslongjrorg

(09:59):
slash community for devotionals,deeper coaching and content
designed to help you grow inemotional, relational and
spiritual wisdom.
Remember this as we close youare not forgotten.

(10:25):
You are guarded by the wordthat cannot fail.
Well, until next time.
Be blessed, take care everyone.